. At last they were heard, and, coming as near
the back windows as they could get, they asked the reason of this
strange performance.

"I say!" began the man standing on the edge of the bluff, "who's in
there?"

"We're all in here," was the answer; "and we can't get out because a
big bear is in the passageway."

"Why did you lock the door?" was the next question.

"We didn't. The bear rolled against it. He's there now. You can't open
it."

The good news was quickly carried to the waiting men, and an effort
was made to burst in the door, several of the men being provided with
guns for their night in the woods.

But Bruin was too heavy for the united efforts, and at last they
decided to shoot through the door.

Calling directions to those inside to go close to the wall on the
north side so as not to be in danger from any stray bullet, the men
began shooting through the door.

It was not long before the bear found it too hot for comfort, and
slowly rose to his feet and started for the barricade of benches, now
left without a guard.

At that instant the door yielded and burst open, and men and shots and
bear and baskets and all came in a mad medley together.

Poor Bruin's troubles were soon over; he paid for his breakfast with
his life.

When all was ended, and the men had a chance to look around and see
the barricade, and turned to thank Miss Brown for her heroism in
protecting the children, she was found in a dead faint on the floor.

It was weeks before she recovered her strength and her voice, after
that terrible night, and the schoolroom--put in fresh order, with a
door between it and the passage, a window cut through the side of the
building, and a big dinner bell provided to ring when help was
needed--was opened again for study.

* * * * *

As her mother paused, Kristy drew a deep sigh. "I'm so glad it ended
well; I love to have stories end well."

"Well," said her mother, looking at the clock, "I'll tell you one more
that I think ends very well indeed, for it taught--but"--she
interrupted herself,--"I won't tell you the end before the beginning;
you shall decide whether it ends well."

CHAPTER XV

HOW LETTIE HAD HER OWN WAY

"I just wish I could do as I've a mind to for once in my life!" said
Lettie Glover crossly, when her mother refused to allow her to carry
out a plan she had made. "I never can do anything I want to," she went
on. "I've heard that s